Michigan Inks Standout Trio During Early Signing Period
11/10/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan head softball coach Carol Hutchins announced today (Friday, Nov. 10) the signing of three student-athletes -- first baseman Dorian Shaw (Burke, Va./J.W. Robinson SS), pitcher Jordan Taylor (Valencia, Calif./Valencia HS) and outfielder Megan Gregory (Rockford, Mich./Rockford HS) -- to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period.
A highly touted high school prospect out of Virginia, Shaw is a two-time member of the Washington Post's All-Met first team (2005, '06) as the top first baseman in the Washington area. She garnered D.C. Times Player of the Year accolades after batting .579 with a 1.000 slugging percentage, five home runs and 21 RBI during her junior season and has twice been selected district and region Player of the Year (2005, '06). A two-time Virginia first-team all-state selection, Shaw has played travel ball with the Shamrocks Fastpitch Softball organization for four years and contributed to the 18U team's 2005 ASA Gold national championship and the 16U team's 2005 International Softball Federation (ISF) Junior World Cup championship.
"We couldn't be more excited about Dorian," said Hutchins. "She is a big-time player with tremendous power and great hands. She will fill the void at first when Sam Findlay leaves, but, as a freshman, she will find a spot in our roster because she's clearly a great offensive player. I think she's going to be one of our greatest leaders. She has tremendous charisma and leadership, and we are very exicted to have her on our team."
Taylor, considered one of the top pitchers on the West Coast, captured Division I co-Player of the Year accolades from the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section after boasting a 2006 record of 26-5 with an 0.13 ERA, nine no-hitters and 20 shutouts. Taylor posted 416 strikeouts last season in 215 innings of work, breaking the all-time strikeout record for the Santa Clarita Valley. She also shares the record for single-season wins (26). A two-time L.A. Times Regional Pitcher of the Year and Valley Player of the Year (2005, '06), she was named Valencia High School's Female Athlete of the Year and earned EA Sports All-America second team honors following her junior season.
"Jordan has unlimited potential," said Hutchins. "She is a big pitcher and has the potential to be a big-time pitcher. We have really high hopes for her and feel that she hasn't nearly reached her potential yet. I think she will really thrive in our program."
Gregory will join the Wolverines as a junior in 2008 after spending two seasons of NJCAA Division II action at Grand Rapids Community College. In her rookie campaign at GRCC, Gregory led the Raiders with a .404 batting average, 48 RBI, nine home runs and 28 stolen bases. She was named a first team All-American by the National Fastball Coaches Association (NFCA) and selected to the NJCAA Division II All-America third team. She also claimed NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete accolades.
"Megan is another player with untapped potential." said Hutchins. "She is a good athlete, and she has great feet, which is never to be overlooked as far as I'm concerned. Megan also has a great approach and attitude. She has a lot of the tools and skills to fill a void that has come up in our outfield."
The Wolverines will kick off the 2007 campaign on Feb. 9-11 at the Wilson Demarini Invitational in Houston, Texas, where they will face Texas-Arlington, Mississippi and Houston.
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
